ITIL 4 DITS study plan
ITIL 4 DITS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Digital and IT strategy fundamentals
Define digital strategy, IT strategy, and digital transformation in your own words and state how they differ
Map the external environment factors (PESTLE-style) that drive digital and IT strategy decisions
Explain how internal capabilities and organizational context shape strategic choice
Distinguish digital strategy from IT strategy using two worked examples
Your checkpoint
A one-page comparison table of digital strategy vs IT strategy vs digital transformation with 3 distinguishing criteria each and 2 examples
Digital and IT strategy fundamentals & Digital strategy and operating models
Describe how digital strategy connects to the organization's mission, vision, and objectives
Identify the components of an operating model and explain why they must align with strategy
Compare centralized, federated, and decentralized operating model patterns
Explain the role of value streams in translating strategy into operational work
Your checkpoint
A diagram of one operating model (people, process, technology, partners, governance) annotated with how each element supports a stated strategic objective
Digital strategy and operating models
Analyze how digital strategy shapes operating model design decisions
Evaluate sourcing and partnering options against strategic and risk criteria
Explain how organizational culture and structure enable or block operating model change
Apply the operating model concept to a real organization you know
Your checkpoint
A 400-word case analysis recommending an operating model change for a named organization, with 3 justified design decisions
Strategic approaches and business models
Distinguish business models from business strategy and explain how digital enables new business models
Compare revenue, cost, and value-capture patterns across at least four business model archetypes
Explain how strategic approaches such as lean, agile, and design thinking inform digital initiatives
Identify the strategic risks of a chosen business model and propose mitigations
Your checkpoint
A business model canvas for a hypothetical digital venture plus a 200-word risk and mitigation note
Strategic approaches and business models & Digital transformation and disruption
Explain the difference between digital transformation and digital disruption with concrete industry examples
Analyze how disruptive entrants change competitive dynamics in an established market
Describe the stages and common failure points of a transformation journey
Assess organizational readiness for transformation using explicit criteria
Your checkpoint
A disruption analysis of one industry: incumbent response, entrant model, and 3 readiness gaps with recommended actions
Digital transformation and disruption
Apply transformation levers (leadership, culture, technology, process) to a scenario
Explain how to sequence and govern a transformation program across multiple horizons
Identify metrics that show whether a transformation is delivering value
Plan stakeholder engagement and communication for a transformation initiative
Your checkpoint
A one-page transformation roadmap with phases, 5 success metrics, and a stakeholder communication plan
Strategic capability and governance
Distinguish strategic capability from operational capability and give examples of each
Explain how governance structures and decision rights support digital strategy
Describe how to assess and develop strategic capabilities in an organization
Link governance mechanisms to risk management and value realization
Your checkpoint
A capability assessment of one organization: 6 capabilities rated on maturity with 2 development actions each, plus a governance decision-rights table
Digital and IT strategy fundamentals & Digital strategy and operating models & Strategic approaches and business models & Digital transformation and disruption & Strategic capability and governance
Synthesize all five domains into one coherent strategic narrative
Practice scenario-based questions under timed conditions and review errors by domain
Close knowledge gaps identified in earlier weeks using targeted review
Explain how strategy, operating model, business model, transformation, and governance interlock
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question practice set scored by domain, plus a 1-page synthesis map linking all five domains with a written gap-closure list
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain digital vs IT strategy and describe operating model components without notes, scoring at least 80% on a 15-question self-check for domains 1-2
Week 4: Can produce a business model canvas and justify 3 strategic choices in under 30 minutes; domain 3 self-check at 80% or above
Week 6: Can outline a transformation roadmap with metrics and stakeholders from a cold scenario prompt; domain 4 self-check at 80% or above
Week 8: Timed 40-question mixed practice set completed with 75% or higher overall and no single domain below 65%